[C320-list] steering tight

[Pat Ireland]

Jeff

Thanks for the suggestions.  Checked the sheaves yesterday.  They move
freely.  One is a bit out of line, but looks insignificant for this
issue. The cable gets tight when it loads the rudder quadrant.    I tried
adjusting the rudder stuffing clamp, to make sure it was not binding the
shaft, but it did not appear to make any difference in the resistance.

Pat
On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 11:58 AM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> In that case I would loosen the cable until it allows about 2" of
> deflection.  Then turning the wheel, see how tight the cable gets.
>
> If it gets very tight at all on one side, then something in the rudder post
> may be jammed up.   Turn carefully so that the cable doesn't jump any
> shieves.
>
> Finally, remove the cover in the aft cabin and examine the shieves to make
> sure nothing of them have corroded.  Verify that all the shieves below are
> turning freely.
>
> I used clear silicone to seal around it on reinstall. I've taken this cover
> off several times.
>
> -Jeff
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
>  Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 11:07:43
> To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] steering tight
>
> Jeff
>
> Thanks for the suggestion.  It was an initial concern, because I had it
> cranked down tight earlier on the day we noticed the problem.  But we
> pulled
> the compass last night and verified that the sprocket, chain, and brake
> were
> all clear.  We also checked the movement of the wheel shaft to verify that
> it was not the problem.
>
> Pat
>
> On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 10:41 AM, Jeff Hare <catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
>
> > While this might not be the problem, check to see that your wheel brake
> > isn't stuck.  I find that sometimes the brake handscrew is "unscrewing"
> from
> > the shaft rather than loosening the brake.
> >
> > When you loosen the brake watch carefully to see if the shaft itself is
> > turning.
> >
> > -Jeff
> >  -----Original Message-----
> > From: Pat Ireland <cherie320 at gmail.com>
> > Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 09:54:21
> > To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] steering tight
> >
> > Sean
> >
> > Thanks for the information on the possible bent rudder stock.  Afraid I'm
> > in
> > denial on that possibility for awhile.
> >
> > The steering is tight  through the complete range of motion.  Have not
> > disconnected the cable, but the rudder does not move freely in the cable
> > slack as it should if the resistance is in the steering linkage.
> >
> > It would seem that a llubrication requirement would  built up over time
> and
> > we noticed the tightness when we were preparing to dock.
> >
> > Pat
> >
> > On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 11:39 PM, Sean Kaldor <spkaldor at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Pat,
> > >
> > > Is Cherie's steering tight throughout the entire range of rudder swing?
> > If
> > > so, also consider the lubrication of the rudder post in its tube.  One
> > > idea would be to disconnect the cable from the helm to isolate the
> > rudder...
> > > that will help determine if the tightness is in the rudder, or in the
> > helm
> > > controls.
> > >
> > > If her steering is tight only after a certain degree of turn, it could
> be
> > > (but is hopefully not) the rudder post. I was looking at a boat
> recently.
> > > Seller said the steering was fine, but recently became a bit 'tight'.
> It
> > > turned fine from about 20 degrees starboard to 20 degrees port, then
> > became
> > > very tight after that. Topside inspection and diver inspection revealed
> > > nothing. Had to have it hauled to find out that the rudder post was
> bent
> > > very slightly. Hope that isn't the problem...
> > >
> > > Sean
> > > C320 Liberté #499
> > > San Francisco
> > >
> > > - - - - - - -
> > >
> > > All-
> > > The steering on Cherie is very tight.  We are convinced that it was not
> > > this
> > > tight before and that something has changed.  We inspected the quadrant
> > and
> > > found no foreign material jamming it.  The turning pulleys are free,
> the
> > > chain and sprocket are free, the autopilot is not dragging, and the
> brake
> > > is
> > > free.  We had a diver check it out several weeks ago and will have him
> > > check
> > > it again and check specifically for fishing line or other debris.
> > >
> > > Has anyone had a problem with the rudder shaft binding or with any
> other
> > > steering failure that appeared to be a rudder dragging?
> > >
> > > Any experience or ideas would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > Pat Ireland Cherie #801
> > >
> >
>